Same sex marriage would open Pandora's box, Eric Abetz warns

Right-wing Liberal senator Eric Abetz has warned Australia should not legalise same-sex marriage because it could open a Pandora’s box and lead to polygamy.

Liberal senator Abetz also criticised the media of bias and unfair reporting on the issue.

Speaking on Sky News, he said the push for marriage was merely "the latest fad".

"If you undo the institution of marriage by redefining it for the latest movement or the latest fad, you will open the Pandora's box," he said.

"Like what?" host Kieran Gilbert asked.

"Well polyamory clearly, polamory (sic) is one of those….let's not be under any illusion that once you start unpicking the definition of marriage, there will other consequences," Senator Abetz replied.

Senator Abetz also questioned whether we should be following the US on this issue, describing the country’s Supreme Court decision last weekend as “bizarre”.

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Australia should instead be looking to take Asia’s lead on the issue, where no countries had legalised same-sex marriage, he told the ABC.

"The Labor Party and other journalists tell us time and time again that we are living in the Asian century, tell me how many Asian countries have redefined marriage?

"Are we in the Asian century or not? It's amazing how certain people try to pick and choose in relation to debates. All of the sudden the United States, which is usually condemned, is now being celebrated on this bizarre decision."

Liberal MP Warren Entsch will introduce marriage equality legislation to the parliament next month, pending a decision by the selection committee.

It will be co-sponsored by fellow Liberal MP Teresa Gambaro and seconded by Labor MP Terri Butler.

However, Prime Minister Tony Abbott this morning attempted to slam the brakes on the momentum towards same-sex marriage.

Mr Abbott reminded coalition MPs it's rare for private legislation to get up in the parliament, amid calls for him to allow them a free vote.

Government whip Andrew Nikolic sided with his party leader, saying anyone prioritising gay marriage “had rocks in their head”.

"Anyone who thinks that this should be prioritised over economic or national security issues has rocks in their head and is totally misreading the needs of the Australian people," Mr Nikolic told ABC radio.

Meanwhile, Liberal backbencher Ewen Jones, who wants a free vote on the issue, called for the bill to be debated as quickly as possible rather than pulling the Bandaid off "one hair at a time".

"Lets rip the thing off and get it done," he told ABC radio.

He said he doesn't want to see the debate descend into name-calling and aggression.